The All Blacks

Bonmarche Padded Coat £55.

As I hurriedly got dressed for a day trip to London, I took one look in the mirror and thought to myself how many times have I seen this all black look replicated over the years. Black puffa coat, black jeans or leggings and long black boots, it's a fail safe winter fashion formula and certainly one that never seems to date. I had every intention of secretly taking some pictures of every woman I saw wearing a similar outfit in the West End but as I spent all day locked deep in conversation with my God Daughter or silent in admiration of Christmas Window Dressings, I kind of forgot, but I am sure there were hundreds, I have clients who come to me dressed like this, I've seen women in the playground or the supermarket dressed the like this and the only time I haven't worn this look myself over the years was last winter when my black puffa coat finally gave up on me after three winters of virtually constant wear and school runs. 

You can add colour with your scarf, bag or a hat but the other three elements have to be black to become a member of the "All Blacks" gang. I didn't have time to changeover bags (should of done it the night before). I toyed with the idea of ankle boots but knew I needed flats for walking around all day so pulled out my trusty Jimmy Choo patent boots which I can rely on for both comfort and classic style and I'd like to say a big thank you to Bonmarche for gifting me the coat - although I was equally excited by the pre-loaded Starbucks card which was also in the parcel and enabled me to have my first Eggnog Latte of the festive season!

If you don't yet own a black padded coat there are plenty of reductions around so you may wish to treat yourself to this wardrobe outerwear staple, I know I was lost without one last year.

So tell me, is this a look that you or someone you know tends to wear every winter? Will you be keeping an eye out to spot an "All Black"?